Improved harmonica

ABSTRACT

A harmonica including at least a comb including a plurality of chambers, a first plate including a plurality of blow reeds, a second plate including a plurality of draw reeds, the harmonica wherein each chamber of the plurality of chambers includes at least one material projection, each material projection being configured to reduce the oscillatory space of a draw reed, and in that it includes at least one additional plate arranged above the first plate and including a plurality of additional material projections, each additional material projection of the plurality of additional material projections being configured to reduce the oscillatory space of a blow reed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of harmonicas, and moregenerally to free-reed wind instruments. It finds a particularlyadvantageous application in the field of diatonic harmonicas.

PRIOR ART

Conventionally, a diatonic harmonica 10, as represented in FIG. 1 ,comprises:

-   -   a. a comb 11 comprising a plurality of chambers 131;    -   b. two metal plates 110 and 120 with reeds 111 and 121, a plate        110 for the blow reeds 111 and a plate 120 for the draw reeds        121, the blow reeds 111 and the draw reeds 121 facing each        other;    -   c. and two 160 covers to hold the harmonica 10.

It should be highlighted that when one blows into a harmonica, most ofthe air is evacuated through the blow reed 111, which by vibratingcreates a sound, but little air also escapes through the draw reed 121.Similarly, when one inhales, most of the air passes through the drawreed 121, but little air also passes through the blow reed 111.

In some very specific cases, the user would prefer the opposite, i.e. tomake only the draw reed 121 vibrate when blowing or to make only theblow reed 111 vibrate when inhaling. This situation is possible when theuser is an experienced user, i.e. he has a good command of theinstrument and when he positions his tongue very particularly whenblowing or inhaling. This technique is difficult to master, and dependson several endogenous factors such as breath control, tongue muscle,etc., and several exogenous factors, related for example to theinstrument itself.

One should remember that the chambers 131 of a harmonica 10 are notairtight spaces, so air passes through all possible places when the userblows or inhales. This poses several problems, mainly in someinstrumental techniques that require, for example, different positionsof the user's tongue for better control of the pressure of the air flow.These different techniques allow obtaining notes that are not native tothe instrument, and that being so primarily by tuning the air flowinside and on the periphery of the chambers.

The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a review of the following description and theappended drawings. It should be understood that other benefits may beincorporated.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a harmonica, preferably diatonic,comprising at least:

-   -   a. A comb comprising a plurality of chambers each comprising an        opening configured to let a user's breath pass, each chamber        defining an oscillatory space for a blow reed and an oscillatory        space for a draw reed, the blow reed and the draw reed of each        chamber defining a pair of complementary reeds;    -   b. A first plate comprising a plurality of blow reeds, the first        plate being arranged opposite a first face, preferably an upper        face, of the comb, each blow reed of the plurality of blow reeds        being configured to oscillate in its oscillatory space when the        user blows at least into the chamber defining said oscillatory        space;    -   c. A second plate comprising a plurality of draw reeds, the        second plate being arranged opposite a second face, preferably a        lower face, of the comb, each draw reed of the plurality of draw        reeds being configured to oscillate in its oscillatory space        when the user inhales at least from the chamber defining said        oscillatory space;

The harmonica being characterised in that:

-   -   d. At least part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers        comprises at least one material projection, each material        projection being at least partially arranged opposite a portion        of a draw reed and being configured, preferably to reduce the        oscillatory space of said draw reed and, in some cases to enable        the oscillation of the blow reed, in other cases the quicker        redirection of air towards the end of the draw reed to make it        more responsive (set it in oscillatory motion more quickly) and,        to enable the oscillation of the blow reed of the complementary        pair of said draw reed when the user inhales from the chamber of        said draw reed, preferably by positioning his tongue so as to        make the blow reed oscillate, advantageously when the position        of the user's tongue minimises the space available for air to        pass between it and the palate, whether by moving the back of        the tongue back towards the throat, or by advancing the middle        portion of the tongue towards the teeth; and/or    -   e. And in that it comprises at least one additional plate        arranged opposite a face of the first plate, preferably opposite        a face of the first plate opposite to the face of the first        plate opposite the first face of the comb, and comprising at        least one plurality of additional material projections, each        additional material projection being at least partially arranged        opposite a portion of a blow reed and being configured,        preferably to reduce the oscillatory space of said blow reed        and, in some cases to enable the oscillation of the draw reed,        in other cases the quicker redirection of the air towards the        end of the blow reed to make it more responsive (set it in        oscillatory motion more quickly) and, to enable the oscillation        of the draw reed of the complementary pair of said blow reed        when the user blows into the chamber of said blow reed,        preferably by positioning his tongue so as to make the draw reed        oscillate, advantageously when the position of the user's tongue        minimises the space available for air to pass between it and the        palate, whether by moving the back of the tongue back towards        the throat, or by advancing the middle portion of the tongue        towards the teeth.

The present invention allows for a better control of the air flow insideeach chamber. In particular, the comb, according to the presentinvention, allows reaching notes that are not natively present on theinstrument with the draw reeds and that being so in a much simpler wayfor the user, by directing the air towards where it must leave thechamber more directly.

In addition, the comb, according to the present invention, also allowsreaching non-native notes with blow reeds or draw reeds, which couldthen depend on the position of the user's tongue.

In particular, the comb helps direct the air well. The fact that itcomprises material projections allows compacting the air flow even moreto force it to pass only where it is most effective.

In particular, the additional plate allows reaching notes that are notnatively present on the instrument with the blow reeds and that being soin a much simpler way for the user, by directing the air towards whereit must leave the chamber more directly.

In addition, the additional plate also allows reaching non-native noteswith draw or blow reeds, which could then depend on the position of theuser's tongue.

In particular, the additional plate helps direct the air well. The factthat it comprises additional material projections and lugs allowscompact the air flow even more to force it to pass only where it is mosteffective.

The present invention also allows better managing the tightness of aharmonica, in particular of the chambers of a harmonica.

The present invention also allows better managing the air flow insidethe chambers, to considerably improve the ease of play of theinstrument.

The present invention allows for an improvement of the tightness of thechambers of a harmonica, in part thanks to a cleverly designed comb tosolve an endemic problem of diatonic harmonicas: structurallyeliminating air leaks between the comb and the plates.

The present invention also allows improving the responsiveness of thereeds, in particular for playing notes that are the most difficult totrigger.

The present invention makes it easier to obtain all of the notes on theinstrument, including notes that are generally difficult to access.

The present invention allows homogenising the obtainment of all thenotes. In particular, the present invention allows making the draw reedsvibrate when the user blows, mainly at the low and medium notes.Similarly, the present invention allows making the blow reeds vibratewhen the user inhales, mainly at the high notes.

The present invention allows triggering easily the 36 existing notesover 3 octaves, and even a few additional notes above the highest note.

The present invention allows for a great responsiveness of the harmonicaregardless of the note to be played.

The present invention confers a very fluid ease of play on the harmonicaallowing reaching and chaining the 36 notes to create phrasings in allkeys.

The present invention allows playing easily in the 12 keys on a diatonicharmonica, which is yet supposed to play only in a single key.

The present invention allows playing easily all pieces with a singlediatonic harmonica, where usually a harmonica player uses one harmonicaper piece key.

The present invention allows reducing, and possibly suppressing, thespin effect, primarily thanks to the use of lugs.

The present invention allows achieving a laminar pressure in the chamberso as to trigger the opposite reed. Surprisingly, the present inventionallows reaching a laminar speed much more quickly, and maintains it moresurely.

Advantageously, each material projection of the comb is intended totrigger a draw reed when the user blows so as to trigger a draw reed,avoiding leaks at the base of the draw reed and along a portion of thedraw reed, thus allowing compacting air and thus helping trigger thedraw reed.

Advantageously, each material projection of the comb is intended totrigger a blow reed when the user inhales so as to trigger a blow reed,avoiding leaks at the base of the draw reed and along a portion of thedraw reed, thus allowing compacting air and thus helping redirect theair towards the blow reed.

Advantageously, each additional material projection of the additionalplate is intended to trigger a blow reed when the user inhales so as totrigger a blow reed, avoiding leaks at the base of the blow reed andalong a portion of the blow reed, thus allowing compacting air and thushelping release the blow reed.

Advantageously, each additional material projection of the additionalplate is intended to trigger a draw reed when the user blows so as totrigger a draw reed, avoiding leaks at the base of the blow reed andalong a portion of the blow reed, thus allowing compacting air and thushelping redirect the air towards the draw reed.

Preferably, the harmonica according to the present invention maycomprise only one amongst the comb and the additional plate. Indeed, thecomb alone allows solving at least part of the problems indicatedbefore, and the same applies to the additional plate. Thus, theharmonica according to the present invention may comprise one amongstthe additional plate and the comb, or else comprise the comb and theadditional plate.

Advantageously, the comb and the additional plate work in synergy witheach other so as to solve even more effectively at least part of theproblems indicated before. Indeed, surprisingly, the comb and theadditional plate are complementary in terms of air flow confinement inthe chamber.

The present invention also relates to a comb for a harmonica, preferablydiatonic, comprising a first plate comprising a plurality of blow reedsand a second plate comprising a plurality of draw reeds, said combcomprising a plurality of chambers, each chamber of the plurality ofchambers being associated with a complementary pair of reeds comprisinga blow reed and a draw reed, each chamber of the plurality of chamberseach comprising an opening configured to allow the user's breath to passand each intended to define an oscillatory space for a blow reed and fora draw reed, said comb being characterised in that each chamber of theplurality of chambers comprises at least one material projection, eachmaterial projection being intended to be arranged at least partiallyopposite a portion of a draw reed and, preferably to reduce theoscillatory space of said draw reed and, to allow the blow reed tooscillate with the complementary pair of said draw reed when the userinhales from the chamber of said draw reed, preferably by positioninghis tongue so as to make the blow reed oscillate, advantageously whenthe position of the user's tongue minimises the space available for airto pass between it and the palate, whether by pulling back the back ofthe tongue towards the throat, or advancing the middle portion of thetongue towards the teeth.

The present invention allows for an improve of the tightness of thechambers of a harmonica, partly thanks to a cleverly designed comb tosolve an endemic problem of diatonic harmonicas: structurallyeliminating air leaks between the comb and the plates.

An additional plate for a harmonica, preferably diatonic, comprising afirst plate comprising a plurality of blow reeds and a second platecomprising a plurality of draw reeds, each blow reed forming acomplementary pair of reeds with a draw reed, said additional platebeing intended to be arranged above the first plate, and beingcharacterised in that it comprises at least one plurality of additionalmaterial projections, each additional material projection being at leastpartially arranged opposite a portion of a blow reed and being intended,preferably to reduce the oscillatory space of said blow reed and, insome cases, to enable the oscillation of the draw reed, in other casesthe quicker redirection of air towards the end of the blow reed to makeit more responsive (put it in oscillatory motion more quickly) and, toenable the oscillation of the draw reed of the complementary pair ofsaid blow reed when the user blows into the chamber of said blow reed,preferably by positioning his tongue so as to make the draw reedoscillate, advantageously when the position of the user's tongueminimises the space available for air to pass between it and the palate,either by moving the back of the tongue towards the throat, or byadvancing the middle portion of the tongue towards the teeth.

The present invention allows for an improve of the tightness of thechambers of a harmonica, partly thanks to an additional plate cleverlydesigned to solve an endemic problem of diatonic harmonicas:structurally eliminating air leaks between the comb and the plates.

A kit for a harmonica, preferably diatonic, comprising at least one combaccording to the present invention and at least one additional plateaccording to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The aims, objects, as well as the features and advantages of theinvention will appear better from the detailed description of anembodiment of the latter which is illustrated by the following appendeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a harmonica according to theprior art.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a harmonica according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a comb according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side sectional view of the comb of FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a comb according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the comb of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 illustrates a side sectional view of the comb of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a comb according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the comb according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an additional plate accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic side sectional view of a harmonicaaccording to an embodiment of the present invention when the user blowsand wishes to make the blow reed vibrate.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of a harmonicaaccording to an embodiment of the present invention when the userinhales and wishes to make the draw reed vibrate.

FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of a harmonicaaccording to an embodiment of the present invention when the user blowsand wishes to make the draw reed vibrate.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of a harmonicaaccording to an embodiment of the present invention when the userinhales and wishes to make the blow reed vibrate.

FIGS. 15 to 17 illustrate schematic perspective views of variousembodiments of chambers of a harmonica according to embodiments of thepresent invention.

The drawings are given as examples and do not limit the invention. Theyconsist of schematic representations of principle intended to facilitateunderstanding of the invention and are not necessarily scaled topractical applications. In particular the dimensions are notrepresentative of reality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before starting a detailed review of embodiments of the invention,optional features are set out hereinafter which could possibly be usedin combination or alternatively.

According to one example, each chamber of the plurality of chambers hasa bottom opposite the opening and configured to stop the breath of theuser, two lateral walls configured to separate one chamber from theother contiguous chambers, the upper portion of the chamber beingdefined in part at least by at least part of a blow reed and the lowerportion of the chamber being defined in part at least by at least partof the draw reed complementary to said blow reed.

This allows channeling the air flow into a chamber.

According to one example, at least part of the chambers of the pluralityof chambers has a rounded bottom, preferably concave.

This allows improving the responsiveness of the blow reeds in thetreble, and thus helps trigger notes that do not natively exist in thetreble, while preserving the responsiveness of the native notes.

According to one example, at least part of the chambers of the pluralityof chambers has a widthwise extension dimension larger than thewidthwise extension dimension of another part at least of the chambersof the plurality of chambers.

A larger width makes it easier to trigger blow reeds by inhaling.Because of the distribution of notes, it is more useful for high notes,hence the fact that these large chambers are those corresponding tochambers 7 to 10.

According to one example, at least part of the chambers of the pluralityof chambers has a widthwise extension dimension smaller than thewidthwise extension dimension of at least another part of the chambersof the plurality of chambers.

A narrower width allows triggering the draw reeds when blowing. Becauseof the distribution of notes, it is more useful for low notes, hence thefact that these narrow chambers are those corresponding to chambers 1 to6.

According to one example, at least part of the chambers of the pluralityof chambers comprises lateral walls having a widthwise extensiondimension larger than the widthwise extension dimension of the lateralwalls of another part at least of the chambers of the plurality ofchambers.

This allows having chambers that are narrower in width than otherchambers.

According to one example, at least one lateral wall of a part of thechambers of the plurality of chambers comprises an additional surface,preferably this additional surface comprising a bevel.

This allows thickening the lateral wall.

This allows forming a guide for the air flow entering and exiting thechamber through its opening.

This keeps the opening width of the conventional chamber while the widthof the chamber is smaller.

This allows the user not to be disturbed by a change in the width of theopening while the width of the chamber has been modified.

This keeps the surface in contact with the user's mouth equal to thesituation of a prior art harmonica so that the player is not disorientedwhen moving from one chamber to another.

This therefore allows adding material to the lateral walls of thechamber so that it is narrower.

A bevelled shape allows adding material just after the opening of thechamber, and extends from the base of the blow reed towards the bottomof the chamber.

This also allows maintaining a constant air flow throughout theinstrument, i.e. between all chambers, as the width of each opening isconstant.

According to one example, at least part of the chambers of the pluralityof chambers comprises lateral walls having a widthwise extensiondimension smaller than the widthwise extension dimension of the lateralwalls of another part at least of the chambers of the plurality ofchambers.

This allows having chambers whose width is larger than that of otherchambers.

According to one example, at least one lateral wall of a portion of theplurality of chambers comprises an indentation located between thechamber bottom and the chamber opening.

This allows reducing the thickness of the lateral wall.

This allows forming a cavity for the air flow in and out of the chamberthrough its opening.

This allows maintaining a conventional chamber opening width while thewidth of the chamber is larger.

This allows the user not to be disturbed by a change in the width of theopening while the width of the chamber has been modified.

This allows keeping the surface in contact with the mouth of the userequal to the situation of a prior art harmonica so that the player isnot disoriented when moving from one chamber to another.

Hence, this allows removing material from the lateral walls of thechamber so that it is wider.

This also allows maintaining a constant air flow throughout theinstrument, i.e. between all chambers, as the width of each opening isconstant.

According to one example, each material projection extends from thebottom of its chamber towards the opening of its chamber.

According to one example, each material projection comprises anextension dimension in thickness, this extension dimension in thicknessdecreasing from the bottom of its chamber towards the opening of itschamber, preferably defining a ramp.

This allows facilitating the triggering of the draw reed when the userblows for this purpose.

This allows that when the blow reed becomes blocked, the air, whichuntil then went to the bottom of the chamber to exit through the end ofthe blow reed, turns around to exit through the draw reed.

This allows the air flow to make a U-turn, directing the air flow fromthe end of the blow reed to that of the draw reed.

This allows redirecting the already compacted air more quickly towardsthe end of the draw reed when the user blows in order to trigger it.

According to one example, at least part of the material projectionsdefines a plateau with the bottom of their chamber, this plateauextending along a plane orthogonal to the plane of extension of thelateral walls of their chamber.

According to one example, the lower portion of each chamber of theplurality of chambers comprises an air passage for a draw reed, and eachmaterial projection extends at least in part so as to obstruct at leastpartially the air passage of a draw reed.

According to one example, each material projection has a lengthwiseextension dimension and the air passage of a draw reed has a lengthwiseextension dimension, the ratio between the lengthwise extensiondimension of each material projection and the lengthwise extensiondimension of the air passage of a draw reed is comprised between 0.1 and0.9, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 and advantageously equal to 0.33.

According to one example, the upper portion of each chamber of theplurality of chambers comprises an air passage for a blow reed, and eachadditional material projection extends at least partially so as toobstruct at least partially the passage the air of a blow reed.

According to one example, each additional material projection has alengthwise extension dimension and the passage of the air of a blow reedhas a lengthwise extension dimension, the ratio between the lengthwiseextension dimension of each additional material projection and thelengthwise extension dimension of the air passage of a blow reed iscomprised between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 andadvantageously equal to 0.5.

According to one example, each additional material projection has awidthwise extension dimension and a lengthwise extension dimension, andeach blow reed of the plurality of blow reeds comprises a widthwiseextension dimension and a lengthwise extension dimension, and eachadditional material projection is associated with a blow reed of theplurality of blow reeds, and the ratio between the lengthwise extensiondimension of an additional material projection and the lengthwiseextension dimension of its blow reed is comprised between 0.1 and 0.9,preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 and advantageously equal to 0.5.

According to one example, each chamber of the plurality of chamberscomprises a widthwise extension dimension and a lengthwise extensiondimension, and each additional material projection has a widthwiseextension dimension equal to the widthwise extension dimension of theirchamber, and a lengthwise extension dimension smaller than thelengthwise extension dimension of their chamber.

According to one example, the ratio between the lengthwise extensiondimension of an additional material projection and the lengthwiseextension dimension of its chamber is comprised between 0.1 and 0.9,preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 and advantageously equal to 0.5.

According to one example, each additional material projection has aninternal face facing the inside of its chamber and an external facefacing the outside of its chamber, and each additional materialprojection comprises at least one lug arranged on its internal face.

According to one example, each lug extends from the inlet of eachchamber towards the bottom of each chamber according to a lengthwiseextension dimension.

According to one example, the lug extends at least partially into theair passage of a blow reed.

According to one example, each blow reed of the plurality of blow reedscomprises a widthwise extension dimension and a lengthwise extensiondimension, and each lug is associated with a blow reed of the pluralityof blow reeds, and the ratio between the lengthwise extension dimensionof a lug and the lengthwise extension dimension of its blow reed iscomprised between 0.01 and 0.9, preferably between 0.1 and 0.7 andadvantageously equal to 0.2.

According to one example, each material projection has a widthwiseextension dimension and a lengthwise extension dimension, and each drawreed of the plurality of draw reeds comprises a widthwise extensiondimension and a lengthwise extension dimension, and each materialprojection is associated with a draw reed of the plurality of drawreeds, and the ratio between the lengthwise extension dimension of amaterial projection and the lengthwise extension dimension of its reedsuction is comprised between 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5and advantageously equal to 0.33.

According to one example, each chamber of the plurality of chamberscomprises a widthwise extension dimension and a lengthwise extensiondimension, and each material projection has a widthwise extensiondimension equal to the widthwise extension dimension of their chamber,and a lengthwise extension dimension less than the lengthwise extensiondimension of their chamber.

According to one example, the ratio between the lengthwise extensiondimension of a material projection and the lengthwise extensiondimension of its chamber is comprised between 0.1 and 0.9, preferablybetween 0.2 and 0.5 and advantageously equal to 0.33.

According to one example, each material projection has an internal facefacing the inside of its chamber and an external face facing the outsideof its chamber, and the material projection comprises at least oneprotuberance arranged on its external face.

This allows improving the tightness of the chamber.

This allows reducing, and possibly suppressing, the spin effect, mainlythrough the use of protuberances.

This allows improving the containment of the air flow in the chamber.

According to one example, the protuberance has a lengthwise extensiondimension proportional to the lengthwise extension dimension of thematerial projection comprising said protuberance in question.

According to one example, the ratio between the lengthwise extensiondimension of a protuberance and the lengthwise extension dimension ofits chamber is comprised between 0.01 and 0.9, preferably between 0.1and 0.5 and advantageously equal to 0.19.

According to one example, the protuberance extends at least partiallyinto the air passage of a draw reed.

According to one example, each protuberance extends from the bottom ofeach chamber towards the inlet of each chamber according to thelengthwise extension dimension.

According to one example, the comb has a greater flexibility than theflexibility of the first plate and the flexibility of the second plate.

This allows improving the tightness of the chambers and therefore theconfinement of air flows. This allows the comb to deform locally tolocally act as a seal. Advantageously, the comb is more flexible thanthe first plate and/or than the second plate. Thus, this allows the combto improve tightness between the comb and the first plate and/or thesecond plate.

Indeed, an endemic problem of diatonic harmonicas of the prior art isthe lack of tightness, and in particular the air that infiltratesbetween the comb and the plates. However, any loss of air makes itdifficult to trigger the opposite reed. In general, the prior art seeksto improve this tightness by working on the manufacturing process tomake the plates and the comb as flat as possible, for example bysandblasting them manually, and by using increasingly dense materials.

Thus, the present invention preferably uses a more flexible comb thanthe first and second plates instead of having a very flat and very densecomb.

Surprisingly, by deciding to direct the development of this invention ina direction contrary to the teaching of the prior art, tightness isimproved. Indeed, the invention preferably uses a flexible comb andhaving crevices so that it is compresses and the material spreads alongthe plate(s) and thus plugs the micropockets of air.

Cleverly, this improved tightness achieved by a comb that is moredeformable than the first and second plates works in synergy with thematerial projections to further improve the tightness of the chambers.

Advantageously, the comb has a greater flexibility index on its upperportion and on its lower portion than in its central part according toits thickness dimension.

The present invention, via the preferred use of this so-called flexiblecomb, allows having plates that are not perfectly flat, having a combthat is not perfectly flat, creating adhesion at the joint between theplates and the comb by a slight comb compression. Indeed, it is enoughto tighten the screws very slightly, and the material forming the combdeforms, compresses, and extends along the plates, which will furtherstrengthen tightness.

Having less flexibility at its centre, i.e. the core of the comb,enables the comb not to deform completely, and to preserve the integrityof the chamber.

In the prior art with a rigid comb, the screws are tightened as much aspossible to prevent air from passing between the comb and each of theplates as much as possible. Over time, the plates deform at the screws,which will paradoxically create new air pockets, and the instrument willgradually lose its tightness. The present invention cleverly andpreferably uses a flexible comb, i.e. flexible, so the tightening of thescrews can be done to a minimum. It is enough to position them justenough to ensure the maintenance of the elements between them. Thesoftness of the edges of the comb takes care of sealing the chambers, asdescribed before.

According to one example, each material projection comprises an endremote from the opening and from the bottom of its chamber.

According to one example, the end of each material projection isarranged in its chamber so as to enable the passage of an air flow viathe draw reed corresponding to its chamber.

The present invention relates to a modified comb for harmonica, as wellas an additional plate for harmonica, and finally a harmonicaintegrating these two innovative elements. Each of these two elements isinnovative and each of these innovations is based on the same inventiveprinciple: better control of the air flow in the chamber, and preferablyon the periphery of the chamber, of a harmonica, enabling the user toobtain more easily and to better control some musical notes that wouldotherwise be difficult to reach.

Advantageously, this innovative comb as well as this innovativeadditional plate could also work together, which further improves theresponsiveness of the instrument, the effects of each innovative elementbeing enhanced by those of the other innovative element.

Thus, according to one embodiment, the harmonica is preferably adiatonic harmonica. The harmonica 100, according to a preferredembodiment and illustrated in FIG. 1 , comprises at least:

-   -   a. A cleverly designed comb 130;    -   b. A first plate 110 comprising a plurality of blow reeds 111;    -   c. A second plate 120 comprising a plurality of draw reeds 121;    -   d. A cleverly designed additional plate 150;    -   e. Preferably, covers 160 arranged on either side of the        aforementioned elements.

In FIG. 2 , only the location of the additional plate 150 has beenmentioned for clarity. This additional plate 150 is representedaccording to one embodiment in FIG. 10 and will be described in detaillater on.

Advantageously, the first plate 110 is arranged above the comb 130. Thesecond plate 120 is arranged below the comb 130. And the additionalplate 150 is arranged above the first plate 110. In this configuration,the covers 160 are arranged one under the second plate 120, the otherabove the additional plate 150.

As illustrated throughout FIGS. 11 to 14 , the first plate 110 thereforecomprises the plurality of blow reeds 111. Hence, this first plate 110is arranged above the comb 130. Thus, each blow reed 111 is configuredto oscillate in its own oscillatory space 112 when the user blows intothe chamber 131 defining said own oscillatory space 112. The blow reeds111 extend from the opening 135 of the chamber 131 towards the bottom136 of the chamber 131. Thus, the end of the blow reed 111 secured tothe first plate 110 lies at the opening 135 of the chamber 131,preferably above the opening 135 of the chamber 131, and the oscillatingend of the blow reed 111 lies towards the bottom 136 of the chamber 131.When the blow reed 111 oscillates, its free end moves back and forth.Conventionally, the lengthwise extension dimension of each blow reed 111is preferably proportional to the lengthwise extension dimension 132 ofthe corresponding chamber 131.

Similarly, the second plate 120 comprises a plurality of draw reeds 121.The second plate 120 is arranged below the comb 130. Each draw reed 121of the plurality of draw reeds 121 is configured to oscillate in its ownoscillatory space 122 when the user inhales from the chamber 131defining said own oscillatory space 122. The draw reeds 121 extend fromthe bottom 136 of the chamber 131 in the direction of the opening 135 ofthe considered chamber 131. Thus, the end of the draw reed 121 securedto the second plate 120 lies at the bottom 136 of the chamber 131,preferably below the bottom 136 of the chamber 131, and the oscillatingend of the reed suction 121 lies towards the opening 135 of the chamber131. When the draw reed 121 oscillates, its free end moves back andforth. Conventionally, the lengthwise extension dimension of each drawreed 121 is preferably proportional to the lengthwise extensiondimension 132 of the corresponding chamber 131.

Hence, it should be noted that the draw reeds 121 are mountedhead-to-tail with respect to the blow reeds 111, and that the draw reeds121 and the blow reeds 111 are mounted on either side of the comb 130,preferably of the plurality of chambers 131.

According to a preferred embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 3 , thecomb 130 comprises a plurality of chambers 131. Each chamber 131comprises an opening 135 configured to enable an incoming or outgoingair flow 170 to pass depending on whether the user blows or inhales.Each chamber 131 defines an oscillatory space, respectively 112 and 122,for a blow reed 111 and a draw reed 121, respectively. Advantageously,the blow reed 111 and the draw reed 121 of each chamber 131 define apair of complementary reeds.

According to an advantageous and preferred embodiment, and asillustrated in FIGS. 3,4 and 5 for example, at least one chamber 131 ofthe plurality of chambers 131 comprises at least one material projection140. Advantageously, each chamber 131 of the plurality of chambers 131comprises a material projection 140.

This material projection 140 is configured to reduce the oscillatoryspace 122 of the draw reed 121. Preferably, this material projection 140is configured to enable the oscillation of a blow reed 111 when the userdraws air from said chamber 131, preferably by positioning his tongue ata particular angle with respect to the direction air flow 170.Preferably, this material projection 140 is configured to reduce theoscillatory space 122 of the draw reed 121 and to enable the oscillationof a blow reed 111, a reed complementary to said draw reed 121, when theuser inhales from the chamber of said draw reed 121.

The present invention is preferably designed so that this phenomenonoccurs when the user positions his tongue so as to make the blow reed111 oscillate, i.e. when the position of the user's tongue minimises thespace available for air to pass between it and its palate, whether bymoving the back of the tongue towards the throat, or by advancing themiddle portion of the tongue towards the teeth. In this particularconfiguration, and as described later on, the draw reed 121 will notvibrate as much as the blow reed 111 while the user is yet in theprocess of inhaling air throughout the chamber 131. Indeed,surprisingly, the draw reed 121 will be blocked in its vibrationthroughout a set of pressures established in the considered chamber 131.It should be noted that, preferably, the draw reed 121 does not comeinto contact with the material projection 140, and that a pressureeffect allows blocking the vibration of the latter.

Cleverly, the present invention advantageously takes advantage of a setof pressures established in the chamber 131 and allowing blocking thevibration of a reed while enabling the vibration of the complementaryreed.

According to one embodiment, this set of pressures is based on theformation of an under-pressure in the chamber 131 at the draw reed 121when the user inhales in a configuration intended to make the blow reed111 vibrate. In this configuration, the inhale creates an under-pressurein the chamber 131, therefore creating an overpressure outside thechamber 131 at the lower level 138 and at the upper level 139 of thechamber 131. In particular, the overpressure at the draw reed 121 blocksit, whereas the overpressure at the blow reed 111 will make it vibrate.Indeed, the circuit of the air 170 in the chamber 131 in thisconfiguration encounters less resistance passing via the blow reed 111than via the draw reed 121. Henceforth, inhaling allows making the blowreed 111 vibrate.

This situation is for example illustrated in FIG. 14 . In FIG. 14 , theair flow circulates via the blow reed 111 while the user inhales fromthe chamber 131, thereby enabling the vibration of the blow reed 111while blocking the draw reed 121 by said set of pressures. Conversely,the case of a normal inhale is illustrated in FIG. 12 , the user inhalesair from the chamber 131 and thus makes the draw reed 121 vibrate, whenhe does not place his tongue in a particular way.

Advantageously, the set of pressures established in the chamber 131allows the drawn air to have no choice but to circulate via the blowreed 121, therefore making the latter vibrate. In this configuration,the user can reach a note that is not provided for by the instrument byinhaling from a chamber 131 and therefore making the blow reed 111vibrate, and that being so much more easily than on a “classic”harmonica, thanks to the present invention.

In a particularly advantageous manner, each material projection 140allows making a blow reed 121 vibrate when the user inhales in a chamber131, while reducing, and possibly avoiding, air leaks in the lowerportion of the chamber; Indeed, the material projection 140 allowscompacting air in the chamber 131 and thus blocking the vibration of thedraw reed 121 while enabling the vibration of the blow reed 111.

Cleverly, each material projection 140 allows making a blow reed vibratewhen the user inhales in a chamber 131 through an advantageous geometryof the material projection.

According to one embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 4 , the materialprojection 140 comprises a variable thickness according to itslengthwise extension dimension 141; This thickness thus defines a ramp;this ramp enables air 170 to be redirected more quickly to the end ofthe draw reed 121 than in the absence of a ramp. Hence, this allowsfacilitating the oscillation of the draw reed 121 while the user blowsinto the chamber 131.

According to one embodiment, this ramp may have various shapes, such asa straight shape, a concave shape or possibly a convex shape.Preferably, and as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the ramp has aconvex shape.

According to one embodiment, the material projection 140 forms a rightangle with respect to the bottom 136 of the chamber 131. Preferably, theupper surface of the material projection 140 extends in a planeorthogonal to the plane of extension of the lateral walls 137 of thechamber 131. According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17 , atleast one portion of the upper surface of the material projection 140extends in a plane orthogonal to the plane of extension of the lateralwalls 137 of the chamber 131 and then defines a plateau 148.

According to one embodiment, each material projection 140 allowsreducing the space for the passage of air 170 at the base of the drawreed 121 when the user inhales so as to trigger, i.e. make vibrate, ablow reed 111; This makes it easier to block the draw reed 121 and thevibration of the blow reed 111.

Preferably, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 9 , each chamber 131comprises a bottom 136 opposite to the opening 135. This bottom 136 isconfigured to stop the blow of the user and define one of the limits ofthe chamber 131. Each chamber 131 also comprises two lateral walls 137configured to separate one chamber 131 from the other contiguouschambers 131. The upper portion 139 of each chamber 131 is defined by ablow reed 111 and the lower portion 138 of each chamber 131 is definedat least partially by a material projection 140 and by at least oneportion of the draw reed 121 complementary to said blow reed 111.

Cleverly, and according to one embodiment, the bottom of some chambers131 has a rounded bottom 136. This rounded bottom 136 is concave. FIGS.3 and 9 illustrate such bottoms 136.

According to one embodiment, the chambers 131 related to high notes,advantageously the chambers related to holes numbers 7 to 10 of theharmonica 100, have a concave bottom 136 as illustrated in FIG. 9 . Thisallows promoting the passage of air 170 through the end of the blow reed111, and therefore facilitating the vibration of the blow reed 111 whenthe user inhales with his tongue in the previously describedconfiguration. This allows carrying on by inhaling the note of the blowreed 111 and that of the draw reed 121 in a quick, simple and fluid way.This improves the ease of play of hard-to-reach notes and easy-to-reachnotes. This allows reducing any latency between the ease of play ofthose two notes. A concave shape of the bottom 136 of the chamber 131allows imparting an advantageous direction to the air 170.

It should be noted that the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 may also beflat or square. In particular, FIGS. 5 and 8 and 9 illustrate bottoms136 of chambers 131 that are flat. According to one embodiment, thebottom 136 may be flat. According to one embodiment, the bottom 136defines a straight edge with the comb 130.

It should be noted, for example according to the embodiment illustratedby FIG. 9 , that only some chambers 131 have a rounded bottom 136, asillustrated in FIG. 17 for example, while the other chambers 131 have aflat bottom 136. Similarly in FIG. 9 , one could notice that only thechambers 131 having a rounded bottom 136 have a plateau 148 as describedabove, and as illustrated in FIG. 17 for example. Preferably, and as inFIG. 17 , the bottom 136 may have a rounding and a plateau 148.According to one embodiment, the bottom 136 defines a curved edge withthe comb 130.

And advantageously, it is these same chambers 131 which have lateralwalls 137 whose extension dimension in thickness 137 a is reduced, thushaving an indentation 147 at the opening 135 of these chambers 131, asillustrated by FIG. 17 for example. Conversely, the other chambers 131have lateral walls 137 whose extension dimension in thickness 137 a isincreased, through the addition of bevels 146, as illustrated in FIG. 16for example.

According to one embodiment, the present invention proposes a bottom 136of chamber 131 that is geometrically configured to promote anunder-pressure at the free end of the blow reed 111 during the inhale,enabling it to vibrate more easily while the vibration of the draw reed121 is blocked via the set of pressures.

According to one embodiment, and as illustrated throughout FIGS. 3, 4, 9and 17 , It should be noted that the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 mayhave a plateau 148, i.e. a step between the bottom 136 of the chamber131 and the material projection 140.

One way of interpreting this geometric modification of the bottom 136 ofthe chamber 131 is to consider that, unlike the material projection 140,the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 comprises a material setback. Thus,this material setback forms the plateau 148 and the bottom 136,preferably concave, of the chamber 131. This material setback promotesthe passage of air 170 at the end of the blow reed 111, and thusfacilitates the vibration of the blow reed 111 when the user inhaleswith his tongue in the correct configuration.

It should be noted that due to the distribution of the notes on theinstrument, it is particularly advantageous in the treble to facilitatethe triggering of the blow reed 111 when the user inhales. Yet, theseare the notes that require most technique from the user. The reeds beingvery small in the treble, they are less manageable. On a harmonica ofthe prior art, the user will manually bring the draw reed 121 closer tothe second plate 120 to help block it and trigger the blow reed 111 whenhe inhales. But in this case, the natural note, i.e. the obtainment ofthe vibration of the draw reed 121 when the user inhales, is moredifficult to play, and especially the sequence between the note obtainedwith the blow reed 111 and the note obtained with the draw reed 121,when the user inhales is very difficult. In addition, a latency iscreated when returning to the natural note.

According to one embodiment, the present invention advantageously allowsleaving more space at the end of the blow reed 111 so that air escapesmore easily through its end that is free to oscillate.

According to a preferred embodiment, the harmonica 100 may comprisechambers 131 of various geometries, such as those discussed before.Thus, the same harmonica 100 may incorporate chambers having differentgeometries from each other. According to an advantageous embodiment, thesame harmonica 100 may comprise:

-   -   a. chambers 131 according to the embodiment of FIG. 15 ,        preferably for chambers 131 conventionally numbered 1, 2 and 3,    -   b. chambers 131 according to the embodiment of FIG. 16 ,        preferably for chambers 131 conventionally numbered 4, 5 and 6,    -   c. chambers 131 according to the embodiment of FIG. 17 ,        preferably for chambers 131 conventionally numbered 7, 8, 9 and        10.

According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 , somechambers 131 have a widthwise extension dimension 133 smaller than thatof other chambers 131, or vice versa.

Advantageously, the chambers 131 corresponding to low notes, i.e. toholes 1 to 6, have a widthwise extension dimension 133 smaller than thewidthwise extension dimension 133 of the other chambers 131. This allowspromoting the formation of an overpressure in the chamber 131 necessaryto control the blockage or the vibration of the reeds. Indeed,surprisingly, the narrower the chamber 131, the more easily the drawreed 121 vibrates when the user blows to make the draw reed 121 vibrate.Surprisingly, the air flow is more compact, more compressed, whichblocks the blow reed 111 more easily and more quickly and makes the drawreed 121 react more easily and more quickly. Thus, the present inventionallows facilitating the vibration of the draw reeds 121 when the userblows. In particular, according to one embodiment, these chambers 131whose widthwise extension dimension 133 is reduced have thicker lateralwalls 137. Preferably, these walls 137 comprise bevels 146 on theirsurfaces facing the inside of the considered chamber 131 as illustratedin FIGS. 8 and 9 . This bevelled shape 146, allows for an accompanimentof the air flow 170 in the chamber 131, in the direction of the upperportion 139 of the chamber 131, preferably in the same way as the rampformed by the material projection 140. These bevels 146 extend from aproximal portion of the opening 135 towards the bottom 136 of thechamber 131.

Advantageously, the chambers 131 corresponding to high notes, i.e. toholes 7 to 10, have a widthwise extension dimension 133 larger than thewidthwise extension dimension 133 of the other chambers 131. This allowspromoting the vibration of the blow reed 111 during an inhale by use,thus creating an under-pressure in the chamber 131.

Surprisingly, the wider the chamber 131, the easier it is to achievehigh notes by making the blow reeds 111 vibrate as the user inhales.Thus, the present invention has been carried out by advantageouslyselecting a width 133 of chamber 131 which depends on the difficulty toreach the considered note, while ensuring that this does not interferewith the achievement of the other notes of this same considered chamber131.

Thus, in a clever and surprising way, and as illustrated through FIG. 9, the chamber 7 for example is much wider than the others, because it isthat one in which the vibration, also called the triggering, of the blowreed 121 when inhaling is the most difficult in the absence of thepresent invention.

The chambers 8, 9 and 10 are preferably less wide than the chamber 7 onthe one hand to maximise the space of the chamber 7, and on the otherhand because enlarging the width of the chambers 131 amounts to reducingthe thickness of the walls 137, which makes the timbre of the notes moreacute. Since these are already very high notes from chamber 8, thepresent invention is advantageous.

In particular, according to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 ,these chambers 131 whose width is increased have thinner lateral walls.These walls comprise flanges 147, also called indentations, at theopening 135 of the considered chamber 131. This allows keeping a surfacein contact with the mouth of the user identical to what he is used to soas not to disturb the habits of the user.

As described in FIGS. 4 and 7 for example, and according to a preferredembodiment, each material projection 140 extends from the bottom 136 ofits chamber 131 towards the inlet to its chamber 135.

Each material projection 140 has an extension dimension in thickness, inwidth 142 and in length 141. Preferably, the widthwise extensiondimension 142 of each material projection is equal to the widthwiseextension dimension 133 of the considered chamber 131. It should benoted that the extension dimension in thickness of the materialprojection 140 is smaller than or equal to the extension dimension inthickness 134 of the chamber 131, i.e. of the comb 130.

According to one embodiment, the extension dimension in thickness ofsome, preferably all, of the material projections 140 decreases from thebottom 136 of its chamber 131 and the inlet 135 of its chamber 131. Thisthen defines a ramp as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7 .

According to this embodiment, the proximal portion of the materialprojection 140 with respect to the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 has anextension dimension in thickness larger than the extension dimension inthickness of the distal portion of the material projection 140 withrespect to the bottom 136 of the chamber 131, as illustrated in FIGS.15, 16 and 17 for example. According to an advantageous embodiment, thedistal portion of the material projection, also called the end 140 c ofthe material projection, is arranged between the bottom 136 of thechamber 131 and the opening 135 of the chamber 131. Advantageously, theend 140 c of the material projection 140 is remote from the opening 135and from the bottom 136 of the chamber 131. Preferably, the end 140 c ofthe material projection 140 is arranged in the chamber 131 so as toenable the passage of an air flow via the corresponding draw reed 121.According to another embodiment, the extension dimension in thickness ofeach material projection 140 is constant over its entire lengthwiseextension dimension 141.

Advantageously, each material projection 140 has a lengthwise extensiondimension 141 extending from the bottom 136 of the chamber 131 towardsthe opening 135 of the chamber 131. Advantageously, this lengthwiseextension dimension 141 is proportional to the lengthwise extensiondimension 132 of the chamber 131.

According to one embodiment, the lengthwise extension dimension 141 of amaterial projection 140 is proportional to the lengthwise extensiondimension of the draw reed 121 associated with said considered materialprojection 140.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7 and 11 to 14 , each chamber 131 has an airpassage 138 a for its draw reed 121 and an air passage 139 a for itsblow reed 111. The air passage 139 a for the blow reed 111 comprises theoscillatory space 112 of the considered blow reed 111. The air passage138 a for the draw reed 121 comprises the oscillatory space 122 of theconsidered draw reed 121. Thus, when the air flow 170 circulates in theharmonica 100, it can pass through the air passages 139 a and/or 138 aof the blow 111 and/or draw 121 reeds to make them vibrate.

Advantageously, the air passage 139 a for the blow reed 111 haslengthwise and widthwise extension dimensions respectively larger thanthe lengthwise and widthwise extension dimensions of the considered blowreed 111.

Advantageously, the air passage 138 a for the draw reed 121 haslengthwise and widthwise extension dimensions of extension respectivelylarger than the lengthwise and widthwise extension dimensions of theconsidered draw reed 121.

Preferably, the material projection 140 comprises a portion extendingparallel to the air passage 138 a for the draw reed 121, advantageously,the material projection 140 at least partially obstructs the air passage138 a for the considered draw reed 121.

In a particularly clever manner and as illustrated throughout FIGS. 11to 14 , each material projection is configured to lie opposite,preferably directly opposite, the draw reed 121 corresponding to itschamber 131. Preferably, the material projection 140 is configured to bedirectly opposite at least one portion of the draw reed 121, i.e. thereis no solid material between the material projection 140 and theconsidered draw reed 121. In this configuration, this enables thematerial projection 140 to reduce the oscillatory space 122 of the drawreed 121 by generating a set of pressures inside the chamber 131,advantageously when the user inhales from the chamber 131 of said drawreed 121, preferably by positioning his tongue so as to make the blowreed 111 oscillate.

Indeed, the principle as presented before is that, under someconditions, the inhale produces a note different from that oneassociated with the draw reed 121. For this purpose, it is not the drawreed 121 that should vibrate, but the blow reed 111, the only possiblealternative for air circulation. Indeed, by positioning one's tongue inorder to minimise the space available for air to pass between it and thepalate, whether by moving the back of the tongue towards the throat, orby advancing the middle portion of the tongue towards the teeth, theuser can make the blow reed 111 vibrate when inhaling by means of thepresent invention. To help him reach this note not present in theinstrument, the present invention limits the oscillation of the drawreed 121 in this configuration, which therefore enables the user to makethe blow reed 111 oscillate more easily when inhaling. Indeed, the drawnair then passes through the blow reed 111, making it vibrate since thedraw reed 121 is blocked by the set of pressures created in the chamber131 and explained before. This material projection 140, as illustratedbefore, is advantageously arranged between a portion of the draw reed121 and the inside of the chamber 131.

Thus, it is the presence and the configuration of these materialprojections 140 that enables, at least in part, the production ofmusical notes not provided for by the instrument and easy to access,i.e. easy to produce via the present invention.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , each materialprojection has an internal face 140 a facing the inside of a chamber131, and an external face 140 b facing the outside of a chamber 131,opposite, preferably directly opposite, the draw reed 121. Preferably,each external face 140 b of some or all of the material projections 140may comprise a protuberance 143. This protuberance 143 has dimensionsproportional to the extension dimensions of the material projection 140to which it corresponds, i.e. on which it is arranged. Each of theseprotuberances 143 is configured to improve tightness of the chamber 131to which the material projection 140 corresponds. In particular, thelengthwise extension dimension 144 of a protuberance 143 isadvantageously proportional to the lengthwise extension dimension 141 ofthe material projection 140 supporting it.

In particular, in FIG. 6 which illustrates the lower face 130 b of thecomb 130, one could notice the presence of the protuberances 143 and thevariation of their lengthwise extension dimension 144 according to thelengthwise extension dimension 132 of the chambers 131.

In particular, one could notice in FIG. 7 the positioning of theprotuberances 143 with respect to the ramp formed by the materialprojection 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Indeed, although located outside the chamber 131, and as illustratedthroughout FIGS. 11 to 14 , each protuberance protrudes up to the levelof the base of the draw reed 111 corresponding to the considered chamber131.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 11 to 14 , the protuberance 143 of amaterial projection 140 extends at least partially into the air passage138 a for the considered draw reed 121. This allows improving thetightness of said air passage 138 a and obstructing it even moreeffectively.

Each reed, whether a blow 111 or draw 121 one, has a longitudinal bodycomprising a head and a base corresponding to a portion secured to thecorresponding support plate 110 or 120. It is the head that correspondsto the oscillating end of the reed. A reed may be considered as avibrating beam, one end of, called the base, is fixedly mounted on aplate and the other end, called the head, is free to oscillate in anoscillatory space.

These protuberances 143 are configured and positioned to lie opposite,preferably directly opposite, the base of the draw reeds 121 so as toimprove the confinement of the air 170 in the chamber 131 and thusreduce any leakage. Surprisingly, one could notice that the quality andcontrol of the circulation of air 170 in a harmonica, in particular in achamber 131, depends on the geometric configuration of the chamber 131and the quality of the insulation so to favour some paths over others,for the air 170 whether it is blown or inhaled.

When the user inhales to make the blow reed 111 vibrate, theseprotuberances 143 allow limiting the passage of air 170 through the baseof the inhaled reed 121 even more, and therefore improving theconfinement of air 170 and thus compacting the air flow 170 moreeffectively.

When the user inhales to make the blow reed 111 vibrate, theseprotuberances 141 allow reducing the oscillatory space 122 of the drawreed 121, and therefore help blocking it, and triggering the blow reed111.

In a particularly advantageous manner, these protuberances 141 alsoallow limiting the spin effect, and possibly suppressing it. The spineffect is an oscillatory phenomenon occurring in the reeds. For example,when the user inhales to trigger a blow reed 111, it quite often happenswith harmonicas of the prior art that the inhaled reed 121 starttwisting, i.e. vibrating not in its lengthwise extension dimension, butin its widthwise extension dimension, which produces a high-pitched notethat adds to the note produced by the blow reed 111. This spin effect isdue to the air 170 escaping through the sides of the base of the drawreed 121.

It should also be noted that according to one embodiment, the comb 130may be flexible, i.e. comprise a material having a hardness coefficientaccording to an axis normal to the upper face of the comb comprisedbetween 15A and 100A according to the Shore A scale.

This flexibility of the comb 130 allows increasing the air confinementeffect, when joining the various elements of the harmonica 100, forexample via screws. The flexibility of the comb 130 allows improving theconfinement of air in the chambers 131 even more by acting as a locallydeformed seal for example.

Indeed, the use of a so-called flexible comb 130 enables a localdeformation of the latter so as to partially conform to at least oneportion of the periphery of the reeds.

Preferably, the comb 130 has a greater flexibility than the flexibilityof the first plate 110 and the second plate 120.

Advantageously, the comb 130 has a hardness coefficient according to anaxis normal to its upper face 130 a lower than the hardness coefficientsaccording to axes normal to the main surfaces of the first 110 andsecond 120 plates.

Cleverly, the flexible nature of the comb 130 according to the presentinvention limits, and even prevents, air leaks between the comb 130 andthe first 110 and second 120 plates. These being quite often not flat,the flexibility of the comb 130 significantly contributes to thetightness of the instrument, and therefore to the management of a morecompact air flow 170 in the chamber 131.

According to one embodiment, the harmonica 100 further comprises anadditional plate 150. FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of thisadditional plate 150. This additional plate 150 is intended to bearranged above the first plate 110. This additional plate 150 comprisesa plurality of additional material projections 155, and preferablyapertures 153 intended to enable the passage of air 170, and preferablythe oscillation of the blow reeds 111. According to a preferredembodiment, described later on, this additional plate 150 also comprisesa plurality of lugs 151.

Advantageously, each additional material projection 155 allowsminimising air passing through the base and along a blow reed 111portion when the user inhales to trigger the blow reed 111. Preferably,each additional material projection 155 helps compact and direct airmore directly towards the end of the blow reed 111, which triggers evenmore easily.

Advantageously, each additional material projection 155 allowsminimising air passing through the base and along a portion of the blowreed 111 when the user blows to trigger the draw reed 121. Preferably,each additional material projection 155 helps compact and direct airmore directly towards the end of the draw reed 121, which triggers evenmore easily.

These additional material projections 155 may have a variable lengthwiseextension dimension depending on the desired effect. This dimension isadvantageously proportional to the lengthwise extension dimension of theconsidered blow reed 111. The obstructions thus created opposite thebase of the blow reed 111 enable air to be compressed at this point.This favours setting of the end of the blow reed 111 in vibrationwithout hindering the length of the blow reed 111 set in vibration, thusavoiding modifying its timbre.

Cleverly, the apertures 153 also have a variable lengthwise extensiondimension depending on the desired effect. This dimension is hereinagain advantageously proportional to the lengthwise extension dimensionof the considered blow reed 111.

FIG. 10 illustrates the inner surface 154 of the additional plate 150.This inner surface 154 is intended to be opposite and preferably incontact with the upper face of the first plate 110 so that theadditional material projections 155 are opposite the blow reeds 111.

In a particularly clever manner, this additional plate 150 allowslimiting air leaks at the base of the blow reeds 111 and preferably overa portion of their lengthwise extension dimension.

Preferably, each additional material projection 155 comprises a portionextending parallel to the air passage 139 a of the blow reed 111,advantageously, each additional material projection 155 at leastpartially obstructs the air passage 139 a of the considered blow reed111.

It should be noted, in particular throughout FIGS. 11 to 14 , that eachadditional material projection 155 comprises an internal face 155 a andan external face 155 b. The internal face 155 a of each additionalmaterial projection 155 is intended to be opposite at least one portionof a blow reed 111. Preferably, the internal face 155 a of eachadditional material projection 155 is carried by the inner surface 154of the additional plate 150. The external face 155 b of each additionalmaterial projection 155 is intended to be opposite at least one portionof the cover 160.

In a particularly advantageous manner, these additional materialprojections 155 fill a similar function for the blow reeds 111 as therole filled by the material projections 140 for the draw reeds 121.

According to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 14 for example, thedistal portion of the additional material projection 155, also calledend 155 c of the additional material projection 155, is arranged betweenthe opening 135 of the chamber 131 and the bottom 136 of chamber 131.Advantageously, the end 155 c of the additional material projection 155is remote from the bottom 136 and from the opening 135 of the chamber131. Preferably, the end 155 c of the additional material projection 155is arranged in the chamber 131 so as to enable the passage of an airflow via the corresponding blow reed 111.

According to an advantageous embodiment described in FIG. 10 forexample, each additional material projection 155 may comprise on itsinner face 155 a at least one lug 151. Thus, according to thisembodiment, the additional plate 150 comprises a plurality of lugs 151.

Preferably, each lug 151 is configured to lie opposite a portion of ablow reed 111. Thus, cleverly and according to one embodiment, each lug151 allows minimising air passing through the base and along a blow reed111 portion when the user inhales to trigger the blow reed 111.Preferably, each lug 151 helps compact and direct air more directlytowards the end of the blow reed 111, which triggers even more easily.

Preferably, each lug 151 is configured to lie opposite a portion of ablow reed 111. Thus, cleverly and according to one embodiment, each lug151 allows minimising air passing through the base and along a blow reed111 portion when the user blows to trigger the draw reed 121.Preferably, each lug 151 helps compact air and to redirect air morequickly towards the end of the draw reed 121, which triggers even moreeasily.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the lugs 151 also allow limitingthe spin effect, and possibly suppressing it, like the protuberances forthe draw reeds. Indeed, when the user blows to trigger a draw reed 121,it quite often happens with harmonicas of the prior art that the blowreed 111 starts twisting, i.e. vibrating not in its lengthwise extensiondimension, but in its widthwise extension dimension, which herein againproduces a high-pitched note which adds to the note produced by the drawreed 121. This spin effect is also due to the air 170 escaping throughthe sides of the base of the blow reed 111, very close to the opening135 of the chamber 131.

Advantageously, each lug 151 is configured to reduce the oscillatoryspace 112 of a blow reed 111 when the user blows into the chamber 131 ofsaid blow reed 111 to make the draw reed 121 vibrate. And that being sopreferably when the user positions his tongue so as to make the drawreed 121 oscillate, i.e. when the user positions his tongue so as tominimise the space available for the air to pass between it and thepalate, either by moving the back of the tongue towards the throat, orby advancing the middle portion of the tongue towards the teeth.

In a particularly advantageous manner, these lugs 151 fill a similarrole for the blow reeds 111 as the role filled by the protuberances 143,for the draw reeds 121.

In addition, the additional material projections 155 and the lugs 151fill a similar role for the blow reeds 111 as the role filled by thematerial projections 140 and the protuberances 143 for the draw reeds121.

Indeed, each lug 151 is configured to lie opposite, preferably directlyopposite, the blow reed 111 corresponding to its chamber 131.Preferably, each lug 151 is configured to be directly opposite at leastone portion of the blow reed 111, i.e. there is no solid materialbetween the lug 151 and the considered blow reed 111.

In this configuration, this enables the lug 151 to reduce theoscillatory space 112 of the blow reed 111 by generating a set ofpressures inside the chamber 131, advantageously when the user blowsfrom the chamber 131 of said blow reed 111, preferably by positioninghis tongue so as to make the draw reed 121 oscillate.

Preferably, each lug 151 extends from the inlet 135 of each chamber 131towards the bottom 136 of each chamber 131 according to a lengthwiseextension dimension 152 as illustrated in FIG. 10 .

According to one embodiment, this lengthwise extension dimension 152 isproportional to the lengthwise extension dimension 132 of the consideredchamber 131, and therefore of the considered blow reed 111.

According to another embodiment, this lengthwise extension dimension 152depends on the desired effect, i.e. on the phenomenon that one wishes topromote.

Indeed, according to one embodiment, the lengthwise extension dimensions152 of the lugs 151 are configured to meet the needs of the user. Forexample, the additional material projection 155 and/or the lug 151 ofthe chamber 7 could be lengthened or thickened in order to facilitateeven more the triggering of the blow reed 111 while inhaling.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7 and 11 to 14 , each lug 151 extends atleast partially into the air passage 139 a for a blow reed 111. Thisallows increasing the tightness of said air passage 139 a, and thereforeof the chamber 131.

As indicated before, the present invention advantageously takesadvantage of a set of pressures established in the chamber 131 andallowing blocking the vibration of a reed while enabling the vibrationof the complementary reed.

This set of pressures is based on the formation of an overpressure inthe chamber 131 at the blow reed 111 when the user blows in aconfiguration intended to make the draw reed 121 vibrate. In thisconfiguration, the blow creates an overpressure in the chamber 131. Inparticular, according to one embodiment, the overpressure at the blowreed 111 blocks it, while the overpressure at the draw reed 121 willmake it vibrate. Indeed, the air circuit 170 in the chamber 131 in thisconfiguration encounters less resistance passing via the draw reed 121than via the blow reed 111. Henceforth, the breath makes the draw reed121 vibrate.

Thus, in a particularly advantageous manner, the additional plate 150allows limiting air leaks at the base of the blow reed 111, andtherefore compacting the air flow 170 in the chamber 131 when the userblows to trigger the draw reed 121.

The additional plate 150 also allows limiting, and possibly suppressing,the spin effect.

Preferably, the additional plate 150 allows, when the user blows totrigger the draw reed 121, reducing the oscillatory space 112 of theblow reed 111 and therefore helps blocking it and triggering the drawreed 121.

This situation is illustrated for example in FIG. 13 . In FIG. 13 , theair flow circulates via the draw reed 121 while the user blows from thechamber 131, thereby enabling the draw reed 121 to vibrate whileblocking the blow reed 111 by said set of pressures. Conversely, thecase of a normal blow is illustrated in FIG. 11 , the user blows airfrom the chamber 131 and thus makes the blow reed 111 vibrate, thatbeing so when he does not place his tongue in particular way.

Thus, cleverly, the modifications made to the comb 130 and the additionof this additional plate 150 enable a user to more easily reach somenotes that are usually difficult to reach, which notes generally requiremany hours of training, but which are more directly accessible in thisinstance. These modifications and this addition also allow for a bettercontrol of these notes in a playing situation.

The present invention facilitates the triggering, i.e. the setting invibration, of the “opposite reed”, the blow reed when inhaling, or thedraw reed when blowing.

FIGS. 11 through 14 illustrate the normal triggering situations and theopposite triggering situations. FIG. 11 illustrates the case where theuser blows into the chamber making the blow reed vibrate. FIG. 12illustrates the case where the user inhales from the chamber making theinhaled reed vibrate.

FIG. 13 illustrates the situation opposite to that of FIG. 11 . FIG. 13illustrates the case where the user blows into the chamber so as to makethe draw reed vibrate.

FIG. 14 illustrates the situation opposite to that of FIG. 12 . FIG. 14illustrates the case where the user inhales from the chamber so as tomake the blow reed vibrate.

In the case of the opposite draw reed, therefore when the user blows,less air escapes at the base of the blow reed, and preferably along aportion of its lengthwise extension dimension, advantageously in therange of 50% thereof. Thus, the air is more compacted in the chamber,this allows creating an overpressure which blocks the blow reed evenmore quickly, and enables the air flow to move even more quickly towardsthe end of the draw reed so as to leave the chamber while triggering thedraw reed.

In the case of the opposite blow reed, therefore when the user inhales,the air is more compacted towards the vibrating end of the blow reedsince it is less able to escape from the base of this same reed, andsuddenly this creates an under-pressure in the chamber. Thisunder-pressure blocks the draw reed and enables the release of the blowreed.

The present invention facilitates handling of a harmonica and enablesexperienced players to manipulate notes that are not present on theinstrument and that being so in a simple, easy and repeatable manner.Indeed, the question of repeatability is essential. In this instance,the present invention reduces the number of parameters determiningwhether these particular notes are obtained or not.

Cleverly, the cooperation between the additional plate with the firstplate is similar to the cooperation of the comb according to the presentinvention with the second plate. It is the implementation of the sameinventive concept applied symmetrically to two elements of the harmonicathat allows achieving this ease of play and this repeatability. Inparticular, this repeatability is related to the improvement of thepartitioning of the chambers, i.e. the improvement of the control of thecirculation of air in the chambers.

Thus, the present invention makes it easier to obtain some musicalnotes, for example as of the purchase of the instrument, andadvantageously without requiring a long and difficult learning processfor the user.

In a particularly clever manner, each element of the present inventionbrings in something independently of the others, and combined togetherthey maximise the ease of play of the harmonica according to the presentinvention. Cleverly, each element of the present invention improvestightness inside the chamber and compacts the air flow a little more,therefore the pressure sets are sharper, and therefore the reeds morereactive.

It should be noted that advantageously, the comb and the additionalplate according to the present invention have technical advantagesindependently of each other, and combined together they maximise theease of play of the harmonica according to the present invention.Cleverly, the comb and the additional plate act in synergy with eachother to improve tightness inside the chamber and compact the air flow alittle more, therefore the pressure sets are sharper, and therefore thereeds more reactive.

Thus, the harmonica according to the present invention could eithercomprise one amongst the comb and the additional plate, or comprise thecomb and the additional plate.

The invention is not limited to the previously-described embodiments andextends to all of the embodiments covered by the claims.

LIST OF THE REFERENCES

-   -   10 Harmonica of the prior art    -   11 Comb of the prior art    -   100 Harmonica    -   110 First plate    -   111 Blow reed    -   112 Oscillatory space of a blow reed    -   120 Second plate    -   121 Draw reed    -   122 Oscillatory space of a draw reed    -   130 Comb    -   130 a Upper face of the comb    -   130 b Lower face of the comb    -   131 Chamber    -   132 Lengthwise extension dimension    -   133 Widthwise extension dimension    -   134 Heightwise extension dimension    -   135 Opening    -   136 Bottom    -   137 Lateral wall    -   137 a Widthwise extension dimension of a lateral wall    -   138 Lower portion    -   138 a Air passage for the draw reed    -   139 Upper portion    -   139 a Air passage for the blow reed    -   140 Material projection    -   140 a Internal face of the material projection    -   140 b External face of the material projection    -   140 c End of the material projection    -   141 Lengthwise extension dimension of the material projection    -   142 Widthwise extension dimension of the material projection    -   143 Protuberance    -   144 Lengthwise extension dimension of a protuberance    -   145 Fillet    -   146 Bevel    -   147 Indentation    -   148 Plateau    -   150 Additional plate    -   151 Lug    -   152 Lengthwise extension dimension of the lug    -   153 Aperture    -   154 Inner surface of the additional plate    -   155 Additional material projection    -   155 a Internal face of the additional material projection    -   155 b External face of the additional material projection    -   155 c End of the additional material projection    -   160 Cover    -   170 Air flow

1. A diatonic harmonica comprising at least: a. A comb comprising aplurality of chambers each comprising an opening configured to let auser's breath pass, each chamber defining an oscillatory space for ablow reed and an oscillatory space for a draw reed, the blow reed andthe draw reed of each chamber defining a pair of complementary reeds; b.A first plate comprising a plurality of blow reeds, the first platebeing arranged opposite a first face of the comb, each blow reed of theplurality of blow reeds being configured to oscillate in its oscillatoryspace when the user blows at least into the chamber defining saidoscillatory space; c. A second plate comprising a plurality of drawreeds, the second plate being arranged opposite a second face of thecomb, each draw reed of the plurality of draw reeds being configured tooscillate in its oscillatory space when the user inhales at least fromthe chamber defining said oscillatory space; The harmonica wherein atleast part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers has a widthwiseextension dimension larger than the widthwise extension dimension of atleast another part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers.
 2. Theharmonica according to claim 1, wherein each chamber of the plurality ofchambers has a bottom opposite to the opening and configured to stop theuser's breath, two lateral walls configured to separate one chamber fromthe other contiguous chambers, an upper portion of the chamber beingdefined at least partially by at least one portion of a blow reed and alower portion of the chamber being defined at least partially by atleast one portion of the draw reed complementary to said blow reed. 3.The harmonica according to claim 1, wherein at least part of thechambers of the plurality of chambers has a rounded bottom.
 4. Theharmonica according to claim 1, wherein. a. At least part of thechambers of the plurality of chambers comprises at least one materialprojection, each material projection being arranged at least partiallyopposite a portion of a draw reed and being configured to enable anoscillation of the blow reed of the complementary pair of said draw reedwhen the user inhales from the chamber of said draw reed; and/or b. Andwherein it comprises at least one additional plate arranged opposite aface of the first plate, and comprising at least one plurality ofadditional material projections, each additional material projectionbeing arranged at least partially opposite a portion of a blow reed andbeing configured to enable the oscillation of the draw reed of thecomplementary pair of said blow reed when the user blows into thechamber of said blow reed.
 5. The harmonica according to claim 1,wherein at least part of the chambers of the plurality of chamberscomprises lateral walls having a widthwise extension dimension largerthan the widthwise extension dimension of the lateral walls of at leastanother part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers.
 6. Theharmonica according to the preceding claim 5, wherein at least onelateral wall of part of the chambers of the plurality of chamberscomprises an additional surface, this additional surface comprising abevel.
 7. The harmonica according to claim 4, wherein each materialprojection extends from the bottom of its chamber towards the opening ofits chamber.
 8. The harmonica according to claim 7, wherein eachmaterial projection comprises an extension dimension in thickness, thisextension dimension in thickness decreasing from the bottom of itschamber towards the opening of its chamber, preferably defining a ramp.9. The harmonica according to claim 4, wherein at least part of thematerial projections define a plateau with the bottom of their chamber,this plateau extending according to a plane orthogonal to a plane ofextension of the lateral walls of their chamber.
 10. The harmonicaaccording to claim 1, wherein the lower portion of each chamber of theplurality of chambers comprises an air passage for a draw reed, andwherein each material projection extends at least partially so as toobstruct at least partially the air passage of a draw reed.
 11. Theharmonica according to claim 4, wherein each chamber of the plurality ofchambers comprises a widthwise extension dimension and a lengthwiseextension dimension, and wherein each additional material projection hasa widthwise extension dimension equal to the widthwise extensiondimension of their chamber, and a lengthwise extension dimension smallerthan the lengthwise extension dimension of their chamber.
 12. Theharmonica according to the preceding claim 11, wherein a ratio betweenthe lengthwise extension dimension of an additional material projectionand the lengthwise extension dimension of its chamber is comprisedbetween 0.1 and 0.9, preferably between 0.3 and 0.7 and advantageouslyequal to 0.5.
 13. The harmonica according to claim 4, wherein eachadditional material projection has an internal face facing an inside ofits chamber and an external face facing an outside of its chamber, andwherein each additional material projection comprises at least one lugarranged on its internal face.
 14. The harmonica according to claim 1,wherein each additional material projection is configured to comeopposite, the blow reed corresponding to its chamber.
 15. The harmonicaaccording to claim 4, wherein each chamber of the plurality of chamberscomprises a widthwise extension dimension and a lengthwise extensiondimension, and wherein each material projection has a widthwiseextension dimension equal to the widthwise extension dimension of theirchamber, and a lengthwise extension dimension smaller than thelengthwise extension dimension of their chamber.
 16. The harmonicaaccording to the preceding claim 15, wherein a ratio between thelengthwise extension dimension of a material projection and thelengthwise extension dimension of its chamber is comprised between 0.1and 0.9, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5 and advantageously equal to0.33.
 17. The harmonica according to claim 1, wherein the comb has aflexibility greater than a flexibility of the first plate and aflexibility of the second plate.
 18. A comb for a diatonic harmonica,comprising a first plate comprising a plurality of blow reeds and asecond plate comprising a plurality of draw reeds, said comb comprisinga plurality of chambers, each chamber of the plurality of chambers beingassociated to a complementary pair of reeds comprising a blow reed and adraw reed, each chamber of the plurality of chambers each comprising anopening configured to enable the user's breath to pass and each intendedto define an oscillatory space for a blow reed and for a draw reed, saidcomb wherein at least part of the chambers of the plurality of chambershas a widthwise extension dimension larger than the widthwise extensiondimension of at least another part of the chambers of the plurality ofchambers.
 19. A kit for a diatonic harmonica, comprising at least onecomb according to claim 18 and at least one additional plate for adiatonic harmonica comprising a first plate comprising a plurality ofblow reeds and a second plate comprising a plurality of draw reeds, eachblow reed forming a complementary pair of reeds with a draw reed, saidadditional plate being intended to be arranged above the first plate,and at least part of the chambers of the plurality of chambers has awidthwise extension dimension larger than the widthwise extensiondimension of at least another part of the chambers of the plurality ofchambers.